The Los Angeles Chargers have been one of the NFL’s best defensive teams during Jim Harbaugh’s two previous seasons as their head coach. In particular, their pass defense and pass rush attack have been rock-solid.
Last season, they ranked ninth in points allowed, fifth in passing yards allowed and third in passing touchdowns given up. In terms of edge rushers in Harbaugh’s 3-4 defensive front, they have a stud in Tuli Tuipulotu, who made the Pro Bowl last year in his third pro season, as well as veteran Khalil Mack, who may still have something left in his tank.
When it comes to the battle for the backup edge rusher spots, Bud Dupree, who is going into his 12th season and third with Los Angeles, was thought by some to have an uphill climb to stay on the roster. But defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary seemed to give the veteran a vote of confidence.
O’Leary: Dupree has ‘been awesome’
O’Leary made it clear that he likes what he’s seen from Dupree lately, per Alex Insdorf.
“I think Bud’s been awesome.”
“A bunch of young guys right now that are competing… This will be a big test Thursday for those guys.”
Thursday is when the Chargers will play their final game of the 2026 preseason, and that contest will take place against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. That game will have plenty of bearing on a number of position battles, including the left guard position, where multiple linemen are competing for a starting job, as well as the crowded edge rusher room behind Mack and Tuipulotu.
Dupree didn’t do too badly in 2024, his first year with L.A., when he posted six sacks, 10 quarterback hits and six tackles for loss. But last year, his production decreased to two sacks, three QB hits and two tackles for loss in 16 games.
For last year, Pro Football Focus gave him a 50.8 pass rush grade, a 61.6 run defense grade and an overall grade of 54.7. One may be inclined to think that at age 33, Dupree’s best days are behind him.
But O’Leary said, per Kris Rhim of ESPN, that he feels Dupree remains spry.
“Another dude that I get chills thinking about it because he loves football. He just loves the game. When he’s out there, he wants to play as hard as he can. He wants the defense to play hard. He wants to run to the ball, get off blocks.
“He’s big, he’s physical. He was a first round pick. He’s a special talent. So all those things. And I just think he’s been consistent, executed his job. I think he’s been physical. So I don’t think his career is dwindling. I think he has a lot left.”
Dupree, who was the No. 22 pick in the 2015 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, is competing against Kyle Kennard, and perhaps to a lesser extent, rookies Akheem Mesidor and Nadame Tucker.
